Knesset Film to Battle EU Brit Milah Bans

The Knesset is gearing up into action to battle European efforts to ban Jewish ritual circumcision (brit milah) with a film it produced

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David Lev, 26/01/14 22:53

Baby on day of circumcision

Israel news photo: Flash 90

The Knesset is gearing up into action to battle European efforts to ban Jewish ritual circumcision (brit milah). Representing Israel at a meeting of the European parliament this week, MK Nachman Shai (Labor) will be showing a special film that was produced by the Knesset, to show why circumcision is important.

The Knesset is waging a battle to convince the EU to change its previous decision that claimed that circumcision was dangerous and damaging to the child. The EU recommended to member countries that they legislate limitations to circumcision.

MKs have been told that those opposing circumcision have prepared a film to show the supposed dangerous the ritual is. To battle the phenomenon, the Knesset has prepared its own film extolling the ritual. In the film, interviewees from Israel's medical community discuss the health benefits of circumcision, and jurists emphasize the importance of religious freedom and how circumcision for Jews and Muslims preserves democracy.

The 15 minute film will be shown to EU parliamentarians at a meeting this week in Strasbourg.

“We are in the midst of a struggle,” said Shai. “We have the responsibility to at least try and reverse this decision. We cannot abandon any opportunity to deflect these complaints against circumcision. I am very happy that we have top medical personnel appearing in the film in order to make the case for circumcision.”

The Foreign Ministry said that it would continue showing the film until the EU cancels its decision.